If you don't mind being a bit shocked, take a look at these pictures from the Folsom Street Fair. (Warning: they are graphic.) This is an annual event in San Francisco, held again on Sunday, September 30, in which some of the city's outstanding citizens turned out to display their style and have a little fun. I wonder what the Islamic radicals would make of these picturesque displays. What a great recruiting tool this would be for them! Here is what they term the decadence of the West on full display.
I don't think this is typical of America, and even many Americans would find such scenes revolting. I am quite sure that even the liberal Democratic presidential candidates wouldn't be seen in a place like this. But I also recognize that when you have freedom there is going to be some excess. Even so, freedom does not excuse anyone from moral and social accountability. To criticize the abuses of freedom is not "censorship"; rather, is to exercise one's own freedom to dissent.
So take a look at this advertisement for the Folsom Street Fair. It shows gay activists in a mock reenactment of Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles at the Last Supper. To me this ad reflects anti-Christian bigotry pure and simple. Yet when the Catholic League protested the ad, Miller Brewing Company took its name off the poster but refused to withdraw its sponsorship of the fair. This, I suppose, reflects the growing financial clout of the gay community.
But imagine if a city fair mocked the sensitivities of blacks or Jews or, yes, gays in this way. There would be a national outcry! There would be front page articles. You would have heard about it on the evening news. Miller Brewing Company would run in the opposite direction and issue a strong condemnation. Is this the first you're hearing about the Folsom Street Fair's bigotry against Christians? That's because the slogans of "tolerance" and "sensitivity" don't seem to apply to religious believers.
Outraged? Go ahead and comment, and I'll forward all the reaction to the public relations office at Miller Brewing Company.
Reader Comments ( Page 12 of 12)
166. Still more Christian tolerance from the book of Taz.
93. Perhaps Miller figures that people who stick just about anything, anywhere, including their mouth, won't mind swallowing Miller "beer". Hey Miller why don't you make bottles that double for butt plugs?
Taz at 9:56PM on Oct 1st 2007
Captain Negative at 5:04PM on Oct 4th 2007
167. Hey Captain, it's me Taz. The one you have been dueing with on other blogs. The Taz in Post #93 si someone else. I know that dissappoints you. It apears that someone else is using the same screenname.
OR, maybe it is someone like yourself trying to damage my reputation. By using your screenname, I have demonstrated how easy it is.
Captain Negative at 11:05PM on Oct 4th 2007
168. Golly, Taz, all you really prove is what a LOW LIFE you really are. For all of your moralizing you and your little rat-pack are just a little group of retarded right-wing nuts. Far from damaging your reputation, I just let you do it to yourself. You and Lizard and "ray" know no depths. You're good little puupets of the right.
Captain Negative at 2:30PM on Oct 5th 2007
169. Heads up, everybody. If you disagree with Taz and ray and Lizard, they'll resort to tactics like stealing your posting identity and creating false posts. The other thing they like to do is accuse people who agree with you as being phony posters. Most people gave up such juvenile tactics back in the 80's.
Captain Negative at 2:35PM on Oct 5th 2007
170. While as a Christian, I'm not thrilled with some of the images, let's keep it in perspective. It represents a small portion of the gay community. It is no different than things that go among some heterosexuals. It is an exhibit of free speech. I think it's sad that so many in the gay community are turned off by religion and faith, but it is largely because they have attacked (sometimes viciously), maligned, marginalized, and belittled by so long by so many churches, by so many who claim to be Christians. They don't see a relevance to faith in their lives because they've come to see it as a misguided vehicle for intolerance, hate and discrimination. That doesn't condone such ads or displays or excuse them. But it does explain them. And for me, that's fair enough.
Lee at 2:59PM on Oct 5th 2007
171. Heads up everybody. Be careful when debating Captain Negative. He will grossly distort your words.
Real life example: If you say that Stalin's regime was more murdereous than the Nazis, he will claim that you are "defending the Nazis" (his words)
Capeetaan, this is not your blog. Please do not make the situation miserable for others.
All Taz #1 was doing was letting you know that there was possibly another person, Taz #2, using the same screen name. Yes - he did point out another possible explanation, someone (including you) could be intentionally posting under Taz. Taz #1 was simply covering the base.
And Taz did NOT "steal" your identity. He acknowledged who he was from the very beginning. Like he said, he was demonstrating how easy it was to use any screen name. For all you know, Taz, Lizard, and myself could be one person!
If he had posted under his own identity, would you have believed him? I doubt it. You such a cynic. (Life has taught me that the people who have trouble trusting others are often the least trust-worthy.)
Your response was infantile and your shenanignas are wasting everyone else's time. If you have something constructive to say regarding the topic, please contribute, otherwise, please go away!
ray at 4:13PM on Oct 5th 2007
172. Once again some writer is trying to get attention with something old that to him is new. This fair is older than dirt. Don't want to see naked men in boots with a dog collar and leash? Then don't go...geeeeze. I stopped going because after a few it is really REALLY boring. However a closeted writer seems to get his jollies..go figure.
Jack at 12:10AM on Oct 6th 2007
173. Have to add another comment..the pictures show everybody wearing a jockstrap..now that is REALLY boring..lol..sure has become conservative..you shoulda seen the ole days...
Jack at 12:28AM on Oct 6th 2007
174. Thank you Lee.
Somber at 12:02PM on Oct 6th 2007
175. yeah, ray, you do bring out the cynicism in me. it's because you're a moron. and who knew that "taz" is a male? he sure comes across like a total bitch. but then, so do you... a fascist bitch.
Captain Negative at 5:54PM on Oct 6th 2007
176. I do not agree will 99.9% of this post. That being said, I have to agree with DD on the fact that they were desecrating something that is very important to many people when they dressed thriteen men up as the apostles and Jesus. For those of you who consider themselves athiest or agnostic, you may not understand where I am coming from, but for those of you with any religious background, you may understand. Let me put into a context that anyone can understand. How would you feel if someone dressed up as the person you admire and respect the most, and imitated things that person was dead set against? You would be pretty pissed off. And rightfully so. I am all for people expressing themselves and having the freedom to do so. Its one of the reasons I am able to do my job and not have to worry abou government trying to shut me down. But take for example the public outcry that happened when that cartoonist published a rather inappropriate comic in regards to the islamic community. Even those that were not islamic were offended. I think that is the point DD was trying to make with that specific comment. I am not saying they didn't have the right to do what they did. They are entitled to their opinions. But if they expect everyone to respect them and accept them as is, then they need to learn to respect those around them, and that includes their religious friends and family members.
Liz at 10:34PM on Oct 7th 2007
177. Actually Liz I would want to know why they were doing what they were doing. I would want to know where they got off mocking something I saw as important. Then I would listen to their answer. And if it was for their amusement then I would have disdain for them. And if it was for their pleasure then I would be disgusted. And If they said that they were doing so to insult and enrage others then I would be disappointed. And if they had a legitimate greviance, then I would have to reconsider my own position and values. Likely I would remain true to those values, but if they are causing trouble to others then I would have to address them seriously.
Just because you get pissed, don't believe that every one else does. It is just as rational to dismiss the immature and the jevenile and the rediculous. In fact it is more rational than decrying how insulted you are. After all, that is the point of satire.
Somber at 1:17AM on Oct 8th 2007
178. What is everybody so angry! And why do you accuse me of being angry? Well better here then in the street.Chill Ladies and Gentlemen its not worth a heart attack! GOOD NIGHT TO ALL !!!!
Wow I feel better!! LATER
Manny at 4:49AM on Oct 8th 2007
179. May God have mercy on those people who engage in such a terrible behavior and on all of us who sit quietly and allow it happen.
Politicians and big corporation don't care about it, because they are more interested in their own economic and political power; but why don't the rest of us care? Why don't we take a stand for our Lord?
Their decadence is a reflection of our own decadence in faith, prayer, love and sacrifice.
May God have mercy on all of us.
Tommy Genao at 8:48AM on Oct 15th 2007